Do landlords or property managers have to clean between tenants, or is a tenant responsible for cleaning before they move out? Both have duties towards maintenance and cleaning of the property. Failing to meet those responsibilities can have negative and expensive consequences.
Residents risk losing their security deposits when rental properties are not left in good condition. Property managers risk losing income while preparing properties for new residents. It’s a complex issue, but these problems can be avoided through regular cleaning and maintenance, and healthy teamwork.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about cleaning a rental property between residents.
Is the Property Manager or Previous Resident Responsible for Cleaning?
Both the property manager and the previous resident are responsible for cleaning after a lease ends, although local laws may differ slightly in their interpretation of each party’s duties.
But despite the minor differences in local laws, some cleaning falls into the category of maintenance. Maintenance is a shared responsibility, with the property owner or property manager and the residents contributing to the upkeep of the rental property.
Property Manager's Cleaning Responsibilities
Property managers still have to clean the property even if the previous tenant left it clean. Even though the place may appear clean on the surface, deep cleaning may be necessary before showing the property to prospective residents.
Before renting out the property to new residents:
- Clean the walls, dust the skirtings and if necessary, paint over stubborn marks.
- Wash windows and clean window frames. If there are curtains or blinds at the windows, these should be cleaned too.
- Mop tiled floors, sweep wood floors, and deep-clean the carpeted areas. Vacuuming only removes surface dust.
- Clean surfaces and any built-in appliances. Remove debris from gutters.
- Remove snow, ice, or leaves clocking the common areas, entrance and exit to the unit, and any driveway or path if applicable. That will reduce the risk of accidental falls.
- Unblock any clogged drains and clear HVAC air filters of excess dust. This will improve the air quality and reduce the build-up of pathogens.
Remember to check that the fire alarms are working and that the carbon monoxide detectors are unobstructed.
Doing these cleaning tasks will help you meet your responsibility to provide a clean, safe, and habitable home. While basic cleaning is the tenant’s responsibility during their residency, thorough cleaning is your responsibility between rentals.
Also, the cleaner and fresher-smelling the property is, the more likely it will be leased to someone new, quickly. And a quick turnaround time is what every property owner and property manager wants.
Is Exterior Cleaning Only Necessary When a Tenant Moves?
Some types of exterior cleaning, for example, gutter cleaning, are essential for preventative maintenance. We recommend doing this before residents move in and during their residency. Paying attention to details like this ensures resident satisfaction, and saves money on more costly maintenance and repairs later.
Resident's Cleaning Responsibilities
Why are property managers required to clean between tenants? The previous tenant should have kept the place clean, right? Yes, residents they should have. While property managers must get the rental in good shape to be property rental-ready again, the residents have cleaning duties too.
But what are these tenant cleaning responsibilities? Residents should keep rental properties clean and whilst living in them. They should leave them in the same condition when they move out, as they found them.
Before moving out:
Carpeted or tiled surfaces should be clean and dust-free. Windows should be clean as well. The kitchen sink, bathroom basin, bathtub, and/or shower should be clean and free of soap scum. Any dirty smudges on walls or cabinets should be wiped away.
What About a Smaller Rental Unit?
We know that cleaning is hardly fun. Sometimes, keeping a smaller unit like a studio apartment is even more challenging, as it can look untidy and cluttered faster than a large property. But when you establish a routine and stick to it, it’s a whole lot easier to do a final clean when the time comes to move.
That’s why we encourage you to share our apartment cleaning and maintenance tips with your residents. It will help them to meet their cleaning responsibilities with ease.
Include a Section on the Renters’ Responsibilities in the Lease Agreement
Besides paying rent, residents are expected to maintain a property in a hygienic and habitable state. To ensure that this is clearly understood and that you are all on the same page, mention the residents’ responsibilities for basic cleaning and minor maintenance in the rental agreement.
This will clear up any confusion about who is responsible for what, right from the start. Residents will know what you expect of them. If they fail to meet these responsibilities, you will be able to refer them back to this clause in the lease agreement.
Their security deposit may cover the cost of any further cleaning necessary to get the property ready for the next inhabitants. However, this is usually only done if the needed cleaning and repairs fall outside of the category of normal wear and tear.
Property Manager Tips for Cleaning Rental Property Between Residents
So, what exactly do landlords have to clean between tenants? Here are some pointers.
Conduct a Move-Out Inspection
Conduct a move-out inspection so that any issues can be pinpointed before the residents on their way out disappear for good. If you delay, you could face a lot of cleaning and maintenance hassles that their deposit does not cover, and no way to contact them.
If you don’t foresee any major issues, but don’t have the time to dedicate to multiple move-out inspections in a block you manage, there’s another way. Let your residents perform their own move-out inspections, with RentCheck.
RentCheck allows property managers and residents to collaborate on property inspections and more, with customizable, automated inspection lists and reports. You can even schedule reminders for residents through the handy app!
Keep Photographic Evidence of Rental Property
Are any of the doors, windows, or mirrors broken? Do the doors and cabinets still have the proper locks that were fitted when the previous tenants moved in? Are there burnt holes from cigarettes in the carpeting, curtains, or sofas (if it’s rented out as a furnished property)?
Take pictures of these problem areas and provide the residents who are moving out with an itemized list of the damages they are liable for.
You have legal options in the case of extensive damages. Photographic evidence will help to resolve disputes when you want to use the security deposit for repair costs. Remember to take pictures again for future reference, once everything is restored before the new residents move in.
RentCheck can help here too. When you use it to manage all your move-in and move-out inspections, you establish a record of the condition of each rental property. It allows you to compare recent and earlier inspection reports.
By doing a side-by-side comparison, you’ll quickly identify inconsistencies. So you can stop security deposit disputes before they happen.
Paint Walls if Necessary
After a while, wall paint tends to look dull, and is prone to cracking and flaking. This is normal wear and tear, and hard to avoid. Sometimes, all a property needs to look as good as new again, is a fresh coat of paint. So, paint the walls, if necessary, after a tenant leaves and before the next tenant arrives.
If you find that the walls look dirty and unappealing too quickly, opt for a beige, gray, or another neutral color rather than white paint. In lighter shades, these neutral hues make a property look as spacious as white does, but they don’t look dirty quite as quickly.
Clean Windows and Drapes/Blinds
Because most people are concerned with the views they’ll enjoy, the windows are the first places new potential tenants gravitate to during an open house. So clean those windows, every one of them.
Using clean microfiber cloths, wash down all windows, glass sliding doors, and fixed mirrors. Dirty, smudged glass will be a major deterrent when the property is open for viewing. If your rental property has drapes or blinds included, clean these as well. Over time, they can become a big dust trap.
Simple Cleaning Solutions
Don’t forget to clean dirty air filters, clogged furnace filters, ceiling fans, appliances, light switches, and outlet covers too. Yes, cleaning windows and carpets and wiping down surfaces is time-consuming. But it will transform the property into a fresh and clean home for the next residents.
It’ll be easier to hire a service to get the unit professionally cleaned, but you can also do it yourself. Worried about the expense? Don’t despair. Cleaning a rental property doesn't have to cost the earth.
A simple dusting cloth or microfiber cloth can do wonders on most surfaces. Appliances can be wiped down with a solution of white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. Everything will be sparkling clean in no time.
Steam Clean or Replace Carpets
The carpets are another area that shows dirt and damage very easily. Vacuum and steam clean them, spot-treating any stubborn stains. Replace them if they are looking threadbare, or are too badly stained to salvage.
If the carpets are damaged beyond repair through the previous resident’s negligence, you can claim these as damages. However, a certain amount of wear is expected over time, even if residents are not guilty of causing damage.
If you find that continuously cleaning the carpets is not economical or practical, replace them with more durable carpeting. Or introduce carpet tiles, or other resilient tile and floor covering options into the high-traffic zones.
Seasonal Cleaning
Cleaning responsibilities are dictated by the weather, too.
Strong winds blow in dust from the outdoors. Entryways become cloaked with ice and snow. Gutters become clogged with plant matter from nearby trees and other debris. Don’t forget about the fireplace, plus the chimney and flue. The next residents will want to warm themselves by the fire on cold nights.
If you’re preparing for new residents to move in during the late fall or early winter, be sure to attend to seasonal cleaning and maintenance. It will help you attract new renters as soon as possible so you avoid losing rental income. Our cold weather maintenance tips will help you to winter-proof your rental property.
Let RentCheck Handle Your Move-Out and Move-In Inspections
Both property managers and residents must keep rental properties clean and basic fixtures in working order. This prevents residents from losing their security deposit, and property managers from losing rental income.
The simplest way to ensure residents have met their cleaning responsibilities is with a move-out inspection. And RentCheck makes it even simpler, by automating inspections and offering customizable inspection lists.
RentCheck helps you keep all your rental properties on track. You can set reminders through the app and let residents do inspections themselves. All you have to do is compare the move-out inspection reports against the inspection you did before they moved in. You’ll save time and reduce disputes.
RentCheck saves you and your renters time, hassle, and money. Do you want to streamline the process from move-out day to move-in day? Start using RentCheck’s innovative platform and app. Sign up for free, today.
